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How the Internet has Affected the Music Industry
iTunes, MySpace, PureVolume, SellaBand, Napster: just a handful of the dozens of websites that have revolutionized the music industry. With these tools, artists no longer need a major record deal to be successful; in fact, it’s not unusual to see an unsigned artist have more friends on MySpace than a signed one. Some ten years ago, major record labels dictated the music world leaving artists no other way but signing to a major label to reach a significant audience. But when the potential of the all powerful tool called the Internet was finally put to its full use, the tables turned drastically, giving not only the artists an upper hand, but consumers as well. File-sharing boomed, causing major road-bumps for labels. Now, was this a good or bad thing?
I’ll let you decide for yourself. Welcome to the modern world.
First, I’ll discuss some of the pros:
-Artists are given self-promotional opportunities-
Websites like PureVolume and Myspace both artists a profile that they can put music on and allow fans to listen to their music for free. They can also connect with their fans on MySpace, sending friend requests and comments that provide them with the vital process of communicating with their fan base. They don’t need a label to get the word out anymore.
-Artist are given an opportunity to raise money on their own-
SellaBand, a company out of Germany, is a website where fans can invest in a band’s future recordings. It works the same as MySpace for a band: they create a profile and upload songs for streaming. For fans, it’s a musical E-Trade. They can purchase shares of a future recording for ten dollars each. After fifty grand is raised, SellaBand provides the band with a producer, A&R rep, and covers the cost of making 5,000 CDs. Let me remind you, SellaBand is not a label.
Artists can also use things like SNOCAP that allow fans to buy an artist’s digital MP3s, no label needed.
-Money-
An artist doesn’t need to cover the costs of pressing, album artwork and liner notes, or distribution. Virtually, all an artist needs is a website with the download link.
Also, when the artist sells the album online, depending on whether or not they have a record deal and what website they use, they don’t need to share profits with a manufacturer or distributer
-Buying music digitally is environmentally friendly-
In America alone, consumers buy about one billion CDs a year, most of which end up in landfills. They don’t break down easily, nor is it easy to recycle them, and when they are incinerated, they release toxic fumes into the air. By buying digital MP3s, consumers significantly reduce your carbon footprint not only by producing less pollution, but lowering the demand for the materials used to make and package the CDs
Basically, the internet has virtually taken the place of a label, has made it cheap to sell music, and reduced carbon footprint when a consumer buys MP3s.
Now, I’ll talk about the cons:
Competition-
There are hundreds of thousands of websites hosted by artists. The tough part about the internet is trying to get noticed among those profiles. Even if your songs are the best in the world, you still have to get people to find you among the incredibly deep ocean of websites.
-Illegal downloads-
Illegal downloads are probably the most important factor in the downfall of the record label. In the past year, record companies have lost more than an estimated 300 million dollars to illegal downloading, not to mention, you are stealing from the artist. It should be obvious, but a lot of people don’t realize this.The UK government has developed the Digital Economy Bill, which will be law next April. The first step is sending a warning out to illegal file-sharers. If illegal downloading isn’t reduced by 70% through these methods, the Secretary of State, Mandelson, has the power to shut down the file-sharer’s internet connection. There will be no criminal penalties, but rights holders do have the ability to press charges. Artists have different points of views on this bill; UK natives James Blunt and Lilly Allen fully support it, but Shakira is opposed, claiming that the downloading brings her closer to her fans.
-Truth about iTunes-
iTunes is the most popular form of legally downloading MP3s, but there’s a lot you may not know. For one, the music is really overpriced. You can buy an album for about $8 to $12, definitely less than the average $12 to $16 CD at Target, but at Target, you get a tangible CD; a real disk with artwork, liner notes, and a nifty jewel case.
You also own the CD. When you buy music on iTunes, you pretty much only lease it. Also, Apple takes a 35% cut from every song and every album sold, a huge amount considering they virtually do nothing. Record labels receive the other 65% of each sale. Of this, major label artists will end up with only 8 to 14 cents per song, depending on their contract.Artists like Weird Al Yankovic (who said he preferred and made more money off of CD sales as opposed to digital downloads) and Kid Rock both agree that iTunes is a raw deal for artists, although Rock admits he will eventually have to give in.
To sum this up, iTunes rips off artists, illegal downloads are bad for business (obviously), and it’s difficult to get noticed when there are thousands of artists with better html than songwriting.
There are valid pros and cons to both sides of the effects of the internet on the industry, and I leave it up to you to make your own judgment. Just to put my own point of view out there, I don’t think an MP3 could ever replace a tangible CD. Opening a new CD and reading the booklet of artwork and liner notes is something that truly excites me. The internet has offered an incredible new opportunity for artists, but there is the undeniable fact that it can and will turn on them.
1. What is the most important concept you learned this semester? Explain the concept briefly and discuss why it is important.
The importance of incorporating the Internet into education. In an increasingly important online world it is important to learn how to become a part of it by using important websites like Diigo and cool sites to present information like blogs and Prezi. The kids who don't learn how to share their ideas and work online now won't be able to participate later when communicating and sharing through the Internet is a common norm among everyone. By incorportating the Internet into schools, tomorrow's society will be more prepared for a digital world.
2. From all the new knowledge you gained in this class, choose 2 facts or ideas that make the biggest impression on you. Explain.
I learned that my contributions on the internet are important. If I have an opninion, it doesn't matter it I'm not a professional, it still can help someone look at something in a different light. Also, I've always thought that I was a global contribter but taking this class has taught me that just by being aware of things that go on around the world isn't being a global leader, but contributing to the knowledge of the online community is sharing your ideas across huge borders, and that's truly the best way to be a global leader.
3. What 3 skills will you take from this class, and how will you use them in the future?
Researching skills, online etiquitte, and how to network myself. Knowing how to research efficiently is a critical skill everyone needs to know for several different applications. It's vital for school work and useful in everyday personal knowledge gain. I know how to use databases and control my results when I search, allowing me to use my time more effectively. Online etiquitte is important also because the concept is the same as writing letters, there are different types of online writing and display that can make you look more or less professional, which is important if I want people to take my work seriously. Networking myself is also important if I want what I put on the Internet to be shared. I've learned that people don't just happen to stumble upon your website, you usually have to advertise it.
4. Look at the 4 global competencies (objectives) for the course. Which objective do you feel you developed to the greatest degree?
What did you learn about that objective, how did you learn it, and why does it matter in the world?
Contributing to the world and sharing information. I've never thought about my own role in an online community just because I never thought I was qualified to respond to articles and things like that, but now that I've started that process, I think it's actually pretty fun. I've learned to share my own thoughts not only on MySpace or Facebook, but real learning communities.
5. What does it mean to be a global leader in the 21st century?
It means learning how to contribute your own ideas into a growing world and learning about the world around you. The world no longer operates in pockets of isolation; we need to learn that connecting across borders of ideas and culture is a vital part of growing as a society and person. The internet is one of the best ways to do this.
Thank you for viewing my project. Please comment by clicking the discussion tab at the top.
How the Internet has Affected the Music Industry
iTunes, MySpace, PureVolume, SellaBand, Napster: just a handful of the dozens of websites that have revolutionized the music industry. With these tools, artists no longer need a major record deal to be successful; in fact, it’s not unusual to see an unsigned artist have more friends on MySpace than a signed one. Some ten years ago, major record labels dictated the music world leaving artists no other way but signing to a major label to reach a significant audience. But when the potential of the all powerful tool called the Internet was finally put to its full use, the tables turned drastically, giving not only the artists an upper hand, but consumers as well. File-sharing boomed, causing major road-bumps for labels. Now, was this a good or bad thing?I’ll let you decide for yourself. Welcome to the modern world.
First, I’ll discuss some of the pros:
-Artists are given self-promotional opportunities-
Websites like PureVolume and Myspace both artists a profile that they can put music on and allow fans to listen to their music for free. They can also connect with their fans on MySpace, sending friend requests and comments that provide them with the vital process of communicating with their fan base. They don’t need a label to get the word out anymore.
-Artist are given an opportunity to raise money on their own-
SellaBand, a company out of Germany, is a website where fans can invest in a band’s future recordings. It works the same as MySpace for a band: they create a profile and upload songs for streaming. For fans, it’s a musical E-Trade. They can purchase shares of a future recording for ten dollars each. After fifty grand is raised, SellaBand provides the band with a producer, A&R rep, and covers the cost of making 5,000 CDs. Let me remind you, SellaBand is not a label.
Artists can also use things like SNOCAP that allow fans to buy an artist’s digital MP3s, no label needed.
-Money-
An artist doesn’t need to cover the costs of pressing, album artwork and liner notes, or distribution. Virtually, all an artist needs is a website with the download link.
Also, when the artist sells the album online, depending on whether or not they have a record deal and what website they use, they don’t need to share profits with a manufacturer or distributer
-Buying music digitally is environmentally friendly-
In America alone, consumers buy about one billion CDs a year, most of which end up in landfills. They don’t break down easily, nor is it easy to recycle them, and when they are incinerated, they release toxic fumes into the air. By buying digital MP3s, consumers significantly reduce your carbon footprint not only by producing less pollution, but lowering the demand for the materials used to make and package the CDs
Basically, the internet has virtually taken the place of a label, has made it cheap to sell music, and reduced carbon footprint when a consumer buys MP3s.
Now, I’ll talk about the cons:
Competition-
There are hundreds of thousands of websites hosted by artists. The tough part about the internet is trying to get noticed among those profiles. Even if your songs are the best in the world, you still have to get people to find you among the incredibly deep ocean of websites.
-Illegal downloads-
Illegal downloads are probably the most important factor in the downfall of the record label. In the past year, record companies have lost more than an estimated 300 million dollars to illegal downloading, not to mention, you are stealing from the artist. It should be obvious, but a lot of people don’t realize this. The UK government has developed the Digital Economy Bill, which will be law next April. The first step is sending a warning out to illegal file-sharers. If illegal downloading isn’t reduced by 70% through these methods, the Secretary of State, Mandelson, has the power to shut down the file-sharer’s internet connection. There will be no criminal penalties, but rights holders do have the ability to press charges. Artists have different points of views on this bill; UK natives James Blunt and Lilly Allen fully support it, but Shakira is opposed, claiming that the downloading brings her closer to her fans.
-Truth about iTunes-
iTunes is the most popular form of legally downloading MP3s, but there’s a lot you may not know. For one, the music is really overpriced. You can buy an album for about $8 to $12, definitely less than the average $12 to $16 CD at Target, but at Target, you get a tangible CD; a real disk with artwork, liner notes, and a nifty jewel case.
You also own the CD. When you buy music on iTunes, you pretty much only lease it. Also, Apple takes a 35% cut from every song and every album sold, a huge amount considering they virtually do nothing. Record labels receive the other 65% of each sale. Of this, major label artists will end up with only 8 to 14 cents per song, depending on their contract. Artists like Weird Al Yankovic (who said he preferred and made more money off of CD sales as opposed to digital downloads) and Kid Rock both agree that iTunes is a raw deal for artists, although Rock admits he will eventually have to give in.
To sum this up, iTunes rips off artists, illegal downloads are bad for business (obviously), and it’s difficult to get noticed when there are thousands of artists with better html than songwriting.
There are valid pros and cons to both sides of the effects of the internet on the industry, and I leave it up to you to make your own judgment. Just to put my own point of view out there, I don’t think an MP3 could ever replace a tangible CD. Opening a new CD and reading the booklet of artwork and liner notes is something that truly excites me. The internet has offered an incredible new opportunity for artists, but there is the undeniable fact that it can and will turn on them.
Also posted on my blog here
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What I've Gained Out of this Class
1. What is the most important concept you learned this semester? Explain the concept briefly and discuss why it is important.The importance of incorporating the Internet into education. In an increasingly important online world it is important to learn how to become a part of it by using important websites like Diigo and cool sites to present information like blogs and Prezi. The kids who don't learn how to share their ideas and work online now won't be able to participate later when communicating and sharing through the Internet is a common norm among everyone. By incorportating the Internet into schools, tomorrow's society will be more prepared for a digital world.
2. From all the new knowledge you gained in this class, choose 2 facts or ideas that make the biggest impression on you. Explain.
I learned that my contributions on the internet are important. If I have an opninion, it doesn't matter it I'm not a professional, it still can help someone look at something in a different light. Also, I've always thought that I was a global contribter but taking this class has taught me that just by being aware of things that go on around the world isn't being a global leader, but contributing to the knowledge of the online community is sharing your ideas across huge borders, and that's truly the best way to be a global leader.
3. What 3 skills will you take from this class, and how will you use them in the future?
Researching skills, online etiquitte, and how to network myself. Knowing how to research efficiently is a critical skill everyone needs to know for several different applications. It's vital for school work and useful in everyday personal knowledge gain. I know how to use databases and control my results when I search, allowing me to use my time more effectively. Online etiquitte is important also because the concept is the same as writing letters, there are different types of online writing and display that can make you look more or less professional, which is important if I want people to take my work seriously. Networking myself is also important if I want what I put on the Internet to be shared. I've learned that people don't just happen to stumble upon your website, you usually have to advertise it.
4. Look at the 4 global competencies (objectives) for the course. Which objective do you feel you developed to the greatest degree?
What did you learn about that objective, how did you learn it, and why does it matter in the world?
Contributing to the world and sharing information. I've never thought about my own role in an online community just because I never thought I was qualified to respond to articles and things like that, but now that I've started that process, I think it's actually pretty fun. I've learned to share my own thoughts not only on MySpace or Facebook, but real learning communities.
5. What does it mean to be a global leader in the 21st century?
It means learning how to contribute your own ideas into a growing world and learning about the world around you. The world no longer operates in pockets of isolation; we need to learn that connecting across borders of ideas and culture is a vital part of growing as a society and person. The internet is one of the best ways to do this.